Why is Blinking Important?

The mysteries of the human body are countless, and there is science behind everything your body does. Blinking is no exception to this, and the rate at which a person blinks is actually very important for a number of reasons, related both to your eye health and general medical state. Your optometrist wants you to know why blink rate is so critical.

Prevent Irritation

Your eyes need to remain moist and dirt-free, which is the primary job of blinking. As you blink, your eyelids wipe away any built up dust and debris that has entered the eye. The eyelashes sweep the particles further away, and the cycle repeats. Without blinking to carry away these objects, they may scratch your cornea and cause vision loss, or at the very least, create a significant amount of pain.

Replenish Moisture

Most people have a diminished blink rate when working on computers, and the result of this is eye strain, dry eye and irritation. Optometrists often see patients who complain about these problems, but upon further examination the patient’s blink rate is minimal. While blinking is a fairly automatic response, you can train yourself to blink more often, increasing the moisture flow to your eye’s surface and circulating vital nutrients. This will help your eyes feel more refreshed and improve your comfort and eye health.

Signals for Trouble

An abnormal blink rate could be the first signal for an unrelated problem. Excessive blinking could indicate Tourette’s, while slow blinking is a marker for Parkinson’s. If your optometrist notices abnormal blink rates, he or she will refer you to the appropriate doctor.

An adequate blink rate is vitally important to your eye health and comfort. If you have any concerns about blink rate or any other question about your vision, please do not hesitate to consult your Phoenix optometrist.